Electrically-controlled speed-changing mechanism.



No. 731,472. A EATENTED JUNE z3, 190s.

4 Lk EE PQNEOIS. ELEGTEIGALLY CONTRUEEEE SPEED CHANGING MEGEANISM.

APPLIoAE-mlr FILED SEPT. 19, 1902. No MoDEL.

. iUNlTE Patented June 23, 1903.

Amer' einen@ LEON JULES LE PONTOIS, OF NE\V YORK, N. Y.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 731,472, dated June 23, 1903. Application filed September 19,1902. Serial No. 124,065. (No model.)

To all whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, LEON J ULEs LE PoNTois, a citizen ofthe Republic ofvFrance, anda resident of New York city, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrically-Controlled Speed- Changing Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in electrically-controlled speed-changing mechanism whereby is provided a simple means for positively disengaging the electromagnetic clutch from the friction-disk when the current energizing the fields of the magnet h as been out off, It has proved in practice that where such means is not provided the residual magnetism inV the electromagnetic clutch has a tendency to interfere with the proper operation of the apparatus.

In the following I have described, with reference to the accompanying drawing, a stru cture illustrating my invention, the features thereof being more fully pointed out hereinafter in the claims.

The drawing is a horizontal sectional View of the apparatus, showing the parts in operative position.

a, a', a2, d3, and colare bearings supported in any suitable manner. a forms a bearing for the outer end of driving-shaft b, and ct a bearing for the outer end of driving-shaft b'. The inner ends of shafts b and b find a bearing in the double-pole annular electromagnetic clutch c, which turns loosely on the shafts and is itself supported by bearing a2. Keyed to shaft b is a pinion d, intermeshing with a pinion e, keyed on driven shaft f, resting in bearings d3 and d4. Keyed to pinion d is a friction-disk g, adapted to cooperate with one pole c ofthe electromagnetic clutch c. Keyed to shaft b is a pinion d', intermeshing'with a pinion e', keyed on driven shaft f. Keyed to pinion CZ is a friction disk g, adapted to coperate with the other pole c2 of the electromagnetic clutch. The fieldmagnets of the clutch are energized by means of annular coils h 7L', respectively, receiving current from Wires 't' c" through 'suitable contact-rings 7c 7c and grounded. Z is a pulley keyed ou the electromagnetic clutch c, receiving motion from a belt m or other suitable means.

I n is a pulley for transmitting the motion of driven shaftf, as desired.

The driving-shafts ZJ and b are in alinement with each other, as shown, free to turn' independently, their inner ends abutting at o. These shafts are free to move longitudinally in bearings d a' and clutch c, respectively, the longitudinal movement being limited in one direction by the frictiondisks coming into contact with the respective poles of the clutch and in the other direction by the pinions coming into contact with 'the bearings, the parts being so adjusted that the drivingpinions are not disengaged from the driven pinions.

It is obvious that if pole c of the clutch is magnetized friction-disk g will be drawn into contact therewith, shaft b pushing shaft b/ longitudinally, and consequently moving friction-disk g' away from pole c2. On the contrary, if currentbe cut off at e' and pole c2 is magnetized friction -disk g' Will be drawn into contact therewith, shaft b'pushing shaft b longitudinally, and consequently moving friction-disk g away from pole c. The motion of pulley Z is accordingly transmitted through the clutch, turning in bearing a2 and on shafts b and b', as shown, to the frictiondisk in contact therewith and to the pinion driving the driven shaft.

I am aware that the form and arrangement of parts as shown and described Amay be changed Without departing from the spirit of my invention, and I do not restrict myself to the details shown; but

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an apparatus of the character described, independently operable drivingshafts adapted to impart longitudinal movement one to the other, and means for imparting such longitudinal movement.`

2. In an apparatus of the character described, a longitudinallymovable drivingshaft, pinions keyed thereon, a driven shaft, pinions keyed thereon, and means for operating one set of pinions when the other is runningidle.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, independently operable drivingshafts in alinement with each other, an elec- IOO respectively, a friction-disk moving with each of said -pinions and means for throwing one of said disks out of Contact with the clutch while the other is in Contact therewith.

In witness whereof I have signed my naine in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LEON JULES LE PONTOIS.

Vitnesses: A

SEABURY C. MASTICK, OTTO P. OsMERs. 

